Machine for expanding metal.



' No. 843,728. PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907.

H. E. WHITE.

MACHINE FOR EXPANDING METAL. APPLICATION FILED JULY19,1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A! 5f 7 imvemqr: v HERBERT E,\/VHITE :5. W W

A fig/5 No. 843,728. PATBNTED FEB. 12, 1907.

H. E. WHITE.

MACHINE FOR EXPANDING METAL. APPLICATION FILED JULY 19. 1 905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

est: I Inventor:

HawBsrr E, Wui'rE Attys H. E. WHIT MACHINE FOR BXPANDINGMETAL. 1

. PPPPPP AT IIIIIIIIIIII 19.1905.

PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907- H. E- WHITE. MAGHINB FOR EXPANDING METAL.

APPLIOATION TILED JULY 19. 1905.

PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Inventor; N HERJEPT E. Wm'rs No. 843,728. PATENTED FEB. 12, 1.90:

H. B. WHITE. MACHINE FOR EXPANDING METAL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY19. 1905.

6 SHEETSSHEET 6.

QIZTJJJl/Hllll \llln l fl In inventor: HERBERT E, WH T TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT E. WHITE, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL FIREPROOFING COMPANY, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

No. 843.728.v

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

Application filed July 19,1905. Serial No. 270,327.

T 0 all whom, it may concern.-

. Be it known that I, HERBERT E. WHITE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Youngstown, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Expanding Metal, of which the following is a specification accompanied by drawings.

T his invention relates to machines for expanding metal; and its objects are to improve upon the construction of such machines and increase their efliciency, with-simplicity of parts and reduction of cost.

Further objects of the invention will hereinaiter appear; and to these ends the invention consists of a machine for carrying out the above objects embodying the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts having the general mode of o eration substantially as hereinaiter fully escribed and claimed in this specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine with a portion of the holddow n-guid'es for the sheet omitted for clearness. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine. Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view through the table, holddown-guides, and drum. Fig. 4 is a horizontal detail enlarged view, partly in section, taken through the drum, showing the construction of the edge of the table and the teeth of the drum. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail plan view of a portion of the drum and a portion of the sheet of the metal as it is presented to the drum. Fig. 6 is a side eleva-i tion of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an end view of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a top plan view, in enlarged detail, of the feeding-rolls. Fig. 9 is an end elevation of Fig. 8. Fig. tion of Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail face view of one of the disks of the drum provided with teeth. Fig. 12,is an edge view of the disk shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a face view of one of the separators or spacing-disks of the drum.

According to this invention a suitable sup port or table isprovided for theslitted sheet of metal, and operative means a're'provided constructed to engage the portions of the sheet ado ted to form the strands of the mesh of the expanded sheet and bend said strands over the edge of the table out of the plane of the sheet. In this'inst'ance the op-M 10 is a side elevaerative expanding means shown are of rotary form and preferably consist of a toothed drum adapted to revolve upon an axis extending lon itudinally of the table and sheet of metal. is shown, the axis of the revolving drum extends substantially parallel to the working edge of the table over which the sheet is expanded, and the teeth of the drum are adapted to engage the uncut portions of the sheet between the slits and bend the strands of metal over the edge of the table, thereby o ening the metal into meshlike or expande form.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate one suitable form of apparatus for carrying out the invention, A represents a suitable table or sup ort for the slitted sheet of metal B, an O is a toothed drum having teeth D and arranged to revolve upon the longitudinal shaftE, provided with a driving-pulley F, and suitably supported in bearings in such manner that the teethD revolve opposite the working edge G of the table, which in this instance is preferably toothed or corrugated, as sl own in an, enlarged detail in Flg. 4, the. oiieptli of the corrugations H being substantially equal to the width of a strand of the completed mesh. As shown, the longer portion a of each corrugation extends at an acute angle to the longitudinal edge of the table, while the shorter portion b of each corrugation extends at substantially right angles to the longer portion a. The strands of the slitted sheet metal are bent over the shorter side 6 of the corruga: tions. The corrugations are formed in a steel edge U, which is suitably secured to the table. I a

The sheet B to be expandedds first slit in any suitable manner. so that itwill cooperate with the drum. Preferably the lines of slits J of the sheet, as shown in detail in Fig. 5, are staggered on diagonal line's*that is to say, the uncut portions of the sheetbetween the ends of-each pair of slits in one line do not I falbdirectly opposite the center of the slits at found preferable in working. the sheet in a machine of the character of the present one,

because a. symmetrical lozenge-shaped mesh is formed in the completed article, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 in enlarged detail. In presenting the slitted sheet to the drum the sheet is fed forward at such an angle that a corner of the sheet will'first be presented to the action of the teeth on the drum. The angle at which the sheet is fed forward, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, is determined by the amount of staggering or offset of the cuts in the slitted sheet. After the corner of the sheet has been presented to the teeth on the drum the sheet is continuously moved forward by the action of the teeth, and the sheet moves along the table Av and is guided by the guides K, which are preferably formed in sections. The end of the sheet abuts against another guide L. According to this arrangement the uncut portions 01 of the sheet between the ends of slits on the lines 0 0 move toward the teeth of the drum in the direction of said dotted lines 0 c. The teeth of the drum as the drum revolves engage the uncut spaces or portions d and drag or bend the metal over the edge of the table, as show-1 in Fig. 7, thereby expanding the strands into the form of mesh shown in Big. 6. As the metal is bent over the edge of the table by the teeth which are just coming into action theteeth which have advanced beneath the top of the tableare gradually leaving engagement with the sheet, as shown in Fig. 7, and the action of all the teeth which are in engagement with the metal at each instant is not only to expand the sheet, but to pull the whole sheet forward, so that no automatic means for feeding the'sheet are necessary. It is only necessary to feed the corner of the sheet up to the toothed drum, and after the drum has taken hold of the sheet automatic feeding takes place the sheet has reached the drum.

. at the head end of the ta thereafter.

As shown, the feedin -rolls O are arranged le A in suitable bearings in the housing. Preferably a spring Q forces the feeding-rolls together, and suitable means are provided for separating them after In this instance the spring-pressed bearing R of the upper roll 0 may be raised by means, of the bell-cranklever S and hand-operated lever T. Suitable means are provided for driving the rolls, as the driving-pulley U Vand the belt ing V.

Suitable means are provided for preventing the sheet from tilting up when engaged b the toothed drum; In this instance hol down-guides are provided, carried upon the longitudinal rod or frame W, arranged'abpve the tableand in such position that the guides are adapted to bear upon the. outer edge of the sheet. Preferably each guide consists of the two parts M and N,-'connected by the studs C. and nuts springs S. The parts N are rigidly clamped to the shaft W, which in turn is clamped in the'pedestal L.

and separated by the- The parts M are free to turn on the shaft W in'so far as they are allowed to do so by the restrictive action of the springs i Normally the edges of the part M will be slightly above the table and the pressure on the sheet may be regulated by the adjustment of the nuts 0 0 on the studs. Although only onesection of the holddownguides is shown in Fig. 1, it is to be understood that these guides extend the whole length of the shaft W, and they are madein sections to permit of variation in pressure on the sheet at different parts ofits length, it being found that very slight pressure is desirable at the entering and emerging corners ofthe sheet, while suitable pressure is required in the center to prevent the sheet from being drawn in too rapidly.

. To the s aft E of the drum is preferably constructed with a shoulder E just inside of the right-hand bearing as Fig. 1 is viewed, and nuts E on'the outside hold the shaft closed up to its bearing, so that it cannot travel endwise.

For convenience in manufacturing the drum is preferably built in sections, made up of the toothed disks X and the separators or spacing-disks Y. In order to obtain a firmer revent endwise movement of the drum,

hold on the slitted sheet, it is desirable to bevel the face of the teeth D of the drum at an angle, as illustrated more particularly in Fig.

A, which angle should correspond substantially to the angle at which the sheet is presented to the drum. The feeding-rolls and guides are so set that/the corner of the sheet to reach the drum first will present an uncut spot or portion under a tooth of the drum.

In order to provide for expanding sheets of different gages, means are provided for varying the clearance between the teeth .of the drum and the table edge and for also varying the relative height of the drum and table, in this instance provision being afforded for yarying the height of the drum. In order to adjust the drum vertically, the cap-screws H are loosened and the screw I is turned in the proper direction to raise or lower the support or frame F, which carries the end bearmg of the drum-shaft. Substantially this same construction is provided at each end of the shaft. The screws H are thus again tightened, thereby securing the bearm frame in the desired position. ObviousTy any change in the height of the drum will vary the clearance betweenthe drum-teeth and the table edge.

In order to adjust the clearance, the screws H are loosened and the nuts H on the screw J 2 are turned until the proper position is reached. The drum is then secured by. tightening the screws H According to the construction of this machine it is not necessary to wait until one sheet is entirely out of the machine before another can be inserted. Since the sheet travels in the direction ,of the guidesK, it

will be seen thatas soon as it is moved a sufficient distance beyond its original position another sheet may be fed in.

Obviously some features of this invention may be used without others, and the invention may be embodied in widely-varying forms.

Therefore, without limiting the invention to the devices shown and described and without enumerating equivalents, I claim, and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, the follow- 1n l. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table for supporting the slitted sheet of metal in substantially one plane, and: rotary means constructed to engage adapted'to form bend and open said strands without stretching pver the edge of the table out of the plane of the sheet,,the axis of said rotary means extending longitudinally of the table.

2. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table for supporting the slitted sheet of metal in substantially one plane, and rotary means operating continuously in one direction constructed to engage the portions of the sheet adapted to form the strands of the mesh and bend and open said strands over the edge of the table out of the plane of the sheet, the axis of said rotary means extending longitudinally of the table.

3. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table or support for the slitted sheet-of metal, and a toothed drum 'for bending the strands over the edge of the table whereby the sheet is at the same time drawn toward the drum.

4. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table or support for the slitted sheet of metal, and rotary means for bending and opening the slitted strands without substantially stretching over the edge of thetable to expand the sheet into mesh-like form, the axis of said rotary means extending longitudinally of the ta e.

5. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table or support for the slitted sheet of metal, and rotary means continuously operating in the same direction for bending and opening the slitted strands over the edge of .the table to expand the sheet, the axis of said rotary means'extendinglongitudinally of the table.

6.. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal,'the combination of as'uitable table or support for the slitted sheet of metal, and a toothed drum revolving continuously in the same direction on an axis substantially-parallel to the edge of the table for. bendingthe strands over the table to expand the sheet.

7. In a achine for expandinmslitted sheet the combination ofa suitable support the portions of the sheet the strands of the mesh and for the slitted sheet of metal and a toothed drum for expanding the sheet, said drum revolving upon an axis extending longitudinally of the support, whereby the. slitted edge of the sheet is continually presented to. the action of the teeth on the drum;

8. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal and a revolving toothed drum operating continuously in the same direction adapted to coact with the. slitted edge of the sheet and bend and open the same, said. drum extending longitudinallyof the support.

9. In a machine for expanding slitted-sheet metal, the combination of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of 'metal and a toothed drum adapted to revolve on an axis substantially parallel to the working edge of said support, and means for presenting sheet of metal, to the action of the drum at an angle to the working edge of the support.

- 10. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, thecombination of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal and a toothed drum adapted to revolve continuously in the same direction on an axis substantially parallel to the working edge of the 11. sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table for supporting the slitted sleet of metal in substantially ative means extending longitudinally of the. table constructed to engage the uncut portions of the sheet between the slits and bend and open the'strands without stretching out of the plane of thesheet to form the-mesh.

12. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table for supporting the slitted sheet of metal in substantially one plane, and rotary means 0 crating continuously in one direction an extendin longitudinally of the table for engaging t e uncut portions of the sheet between theslits andtlereby bending out of the plane of the sheet." v

13. In a machine for expanding slitted support for the slitted sheet of metal, a toothed' drum adapted to coact with the sheet to exp first presenting the corner'of the-sheet to the action of the toothed drum. p

14. In a machine for expanding slitted support for the slitted.

toothed drum adapted sheet to expand the senting. the sheet to the drum at an angle so the slitted In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable.

sheet metal, thecombination' ofa suitablesheet of metal, a to coact with the same, and means for pre- I one plane and operand opening the strands to form the mesh,

and the same,- and means for that the corner of the sheet will first be acted upon b the teeth of the drum;

15 a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the, combination of a suitable &

support for the slitted sheet of metal, and a revolving toothed drum operating continuously in one direction adapted to coact with the slitted sheet to bend and open ti e strands, the edge of the support or table adjacent the drum being provided with teeth of a depth substantially equal to the Width of the strands to be formedin the completed mesh.

16. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of-a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal, a toothed drum revolving continuously in one direction on an axis substantially parallel to the Working edge of the table or support for expanding the sheet and means for preventing the sheet from tilting up from the support when engaged by the drum.

17. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal, a toothed drum revolving on an axis substantially parallel to the working edge of the table or support for expanding the sheet and yielding means for preventing the sheet from tilting up from the support u hen engaged by the drum.

18. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal, a toothed drum revolving on an axis substantially parallel to the working edge of the table or support for expanding the sheet and adjustable yielding means in the form of holddown-guides for preventing the sheet from tilting up from the support Whenengaged by the drum.

19. In agnachine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal, a revolving toothed drum for expanding the sheet, revolving on an axis extending longitudinallyof the support, and means for feeding the sheetup to the drum.

2(). In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal, a revolving toothed drum for expanding the sheet, revolving on an axis extending longitudinally of the support, means for feeding the sheet up to the drum, and means for releasing the hold of the feeding means on the sheet when the drum engages the sheet.

21. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal, a revolving toothed drumfor expanding the sheet, revolving on an axis extending longitudinally of the support, and feed-rolls for feeding the sheet up to the drum. v

'22. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination, of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal, a revolving toothed drum for expanding the i disk at an angle so that sheet, revolving on an axis extending longitu dinally of the support, feed-rolls for feeding the shect up to the drum, and means for releasing the hold of the feed-rolls on the sheet u hen the drum engages the sheet.

23. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable support for the slitted sheet of metal and a toothed drum revolving on an axis substantially parallel to the v orking edge of the support or table for expanding the sheet, and means for presenting the sheet to the toothed the corner of the sheet is first acted upon, the face of theteeth on the disk being beveled at an angle substantially equal to the angle at vhich the sheet is presented to the drum.

24. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table for the slitted sheet of metal, a toothed drum arranged longitudinally of the table for expanding the sheet and means for first presenting an uncut portion of a corner of the sheet to the action of the drum.

25. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table for the slitted sheet of metal, a revolving toothed drum arranged longitudinally of the table opposite the v orking edge thereof, and means for varying the clearance bet een the working edge of the table and the teeth of the drum.

26. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table for the slitted sheet of metal, a revolving toothed drum arranged longitudinally of the table opposite the v orking edge thereof, and means for varying the height of the drum relatively to the table.

27. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table for the slitted sheet of metal, a revolving toothed drum arranged longitudinally of the table opposite the working edge thereof, and means for varying the relative height of the drum and table.

28. In a machine for expanding slitted sheet metal, the combination of a suitable table for the slitted sheet of metal, a revolving toothed drum arranged longitudinally of the table opposite the working edge thereof for expanding the-sheet, means for varying the clearance between the working edge of the table and the teeth of the drum, and means for varying the height of the drum relatively to the table.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the HERBERT E. WHITE. Witnesses:

mg itnesses.

H. T. S ITH, 0. D. KAIsEB.

presence of two subscrib- 

